Leonardo's rule, self-similarity and wind-induced stresses in trees
Biological Physics
2011-12-19 v2 Fluid Dynamics
Abstract
Examining botanical trees, Leonardo da Vinci noted that the total cross-section of branches is conserved across branching nodes. In this Letter, it is proposed that this rule is a consequence of the tree skeleton having a self-similar structure and the branch diameters being adjusted to resist wind-induced loads.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1105.2591,
title = {Leonardo's rule, self-similarity and wind-induced stresses in trees},
author = {Christophe Eloy},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.2591},
year = {2011}
}